Last week, after leaving the 2025 SEC Media Days in Atlanta, I had just a handful of things on my mind. Most of which I released in my column on Friday morning. But there was one thing I just couldn’t stop thinking about all weekend. Whether I was lying in bed, making breakfast, taking a shower, sitting at dinner with my wife, or standing on the sand bar off the Isle of Palms on Saturday afternoon. Why are people so worried about Quarterbacks in their first year in the SEC? Why are people looking for reasons to dislike Arch? Does Arch qualify as a first-year Quarterback in the SEC? He has been in Austin for nearly 1,000 days after all.
It sort of stems from an Interview Paul Finebaum had with Jordan Rodgers. Rodgers discussed Oklahoma QB John Mateer as his 4th-ranked QB in the SEC, ahead of Arch Manning. The original video is attached below this paragraph and shows his thoughts from “Get Up” where he says to “pump the brakes” and “the hype train is out of control“. Here are Rodgers’ critiques of Arch Manning,
- Very High Floor
- Not an Elite Arm Talent or Arm Ability
- Lacks the ability to manipulate the pocket and make guys miss
- Lacks the ability to change his Arm Angle
- He’s a really “good” Quarterback
My only thought when hearing those points from Rodgers was, Is it so bad if Arch Manning becomes Kirk Cousins or Eli Manning? I don’t think so.
With Fall Camp opening next week, I wanted to do one more research-driven piece before we get back to the original Behind the Enemy Lines format for the remainder of the calendar year. Below is the list of Projected Starters at Quarterback in the SEC. Interestingly enough, the four most veteran quarterbacks are from the bottom four teams in the conference, according to FanDuel’s SEC Conference Champion odds. While Alabama, Georgia, and Texas are the favorites, with 3 combined career starts between them.
